Urad dal (Noun.), There are many popular names for urad dal - Vigna mungo, black gram, black lentil, mungo bean, which is often confused with Lens culinaris(the smaller black lentils). It is grown in the Indian Subcontinent and is very commonly used in the preparation of South Indian foods (Idli, Dosa, Sambar etc).
The raw lentil is full of fibre and is easy to digest. Some nutritionists believe the consumption of black lentils reduces cholesterol and it provides an excellent source of vitamin B, folic acid, magnesium, calcium and potassium. It is one of the key ingredients of Dal makhani.